In article on GOP's "Merry Prankster," Politico uncritically repeated misleading "Tunagate" allegations, Pelosi jet falsehood
A March 13 Politico article on Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) -- whom The Politico dubbed "The GOP's Merry Prankster in the House" -- reported that Cantor "passed out the stickers with the cartoon tuna to protest an alleged exemption in the minimum-wage bill for Del Monte, the food giant headquartered in [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi's [D-CA] hometown of San Francisco." The article also reported that Cantor "offered an amendment to perpetuate the controversy over Pelosi's request for a larger military jet to ferry her coast to coast without refueling." The Politico, however, offered no indication that Cantor's minimum-wage attack was highly misleading, or that the allegation that Pelosi requested a larger military aircraft for herself -- a claim made by Cantor and repeated by the Politico -- is completely unsubstantiated.
From the March 13 Politico article:
And Cantor clearly enjoys all the partisan wrangling.
He passed out the stickers with the cartoon tuna to protest an alleged exemption in the minimum-wage bill for Del Monte, the food giant headquartered in Pelosi's hometown of San Francisco. And he offered an amendment to perpetuate the controversy over Pelosi's request for a larger military jet to ferry her coast to coast without refueling.
Cantor was among several Republicans to attack the Democrats' Fair Minimum Wage Act for its exemption of American Samoa, noting that StarKist, which operates a cannery in American Samoa, is owned by Del Monte. As Media Matters for America documented, however, Pelosi supported several iterations of the Fair Minimum Wage Act after it was first introduced by Democrats in 1999, three years before Del Monte bought StarKist, and each version has included a wage hike for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands but not for American Samoa. Notably, Republican House members also introduced minimum wage proposals in 2005 and 2006 that included a wage hike for the Northern Mariana Islands but not for American Samoa.
Also, as Media Matters has documented, the Republican claim that Pelosi requested a much larger and more luxurious military aircraft than former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) is unsubstantiated. In fact, the sergeant at arms, who is in charge of security in the House of Representatives, made clear in a February 8 statement that it was he who both "made the recommendation to use military aircraft" for Pelosi's trips between Washington, D.C., and California and "request[ed] an aircraft that is capable of making non-stop flights," providing such an aircraft is available. Further, as Media Matters has also noted, Pelosi has specifically stated that she never asked for a larger plane, saying instead: "It's not a question of size, it's a question of distance. We want an aircraft that can reach California" without refueling.
the house sgt at arms said he was "compelled" to request an aircraft that does not need to refuel. see statement link above
Darned liberals always going with those facts!
Yes, the facts (the plane provided to Rep. Hastert could not fly coast-to-coast without refueling) and circumstance (Rep. Pelosi lives in California, i.e., on the opposite coast, and post-911 security concerns required nonstop flight) compelled the Sergeant at Arms, NOT Rep. Pelosi (or her staff).
Look away! Look away!
They're dividing up the Iraqi Oil industry....no, wait, Barack Obama smokes!
The Bush administration is rotten to the core with corruption and cronyism....but look! Nancy Pelosi wants a bigger plane!
<> Harriet Myers was involved in making the hit list of fired Federal Prosecutors...hold on, we now have a confession for every major terrorist attack of the past quarter century!
The Pentagon has finally admitted that Iraq is in a civil war.....holy crap! Hillary has fat ankles!
The Professional liars are spinning so fast that I fear they may create a time/space anomaly.
Here we go again
More made up stories about Speaker Pelosi.
I dutifully signed up for The Politico mostly because of their promise of fair and accurate reporting. Got fooled again! Every time I read an article I have to flinch, then wonder what ever happened to the supposedly educated and aware writers. Seems the Republicans (read that Bush Co.) will stop at nothing to intimidate the media and slander the very people who have the desire to work towards solutions to major problems without the military option. God help the USA.
What I find amazing about this story is that we have a lawmaker, who sees fit to play this little "pranks" on people, and basically act like a 10 year old teasing someone in the schoolyard. Silly little stickers, silly little pranks. I thought it was the republicans who always used to tell us after 1994 that the "adults were no in charge". Well, it doesn't appear to be the case. This person has been elected to a seat of power and prestige, maybe he should start acting like it, and act like a real professional. Or maybe he just needs to grow up. Jeesh...
Another couple of undead talking points. Debunk them a thousand times and they will be resurrected ad nauseam. There is a part of the rightwing noise machine that has no use whatsoever for factual reality
Did you know tuna is no longer safe to eat yet our government has NOT warned the citizens or required the cans to be labeled? The mercury content in tuna fish is so high that eating more than one can a week is considered dangerous. Where are the Democrats in Congress on this issue? Is Pelosi pushing for warning labels on canned tuna? Is Hillary leading a charge for better food regulations? Hell no. You can bet Ralph Nader would, though. Food for thought.